To say that Ann Collins Dole is accomplished would be an understatement. Not only can the Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel of the City of Chicago's Department of Law claim 17 years of trial experience, but she was also an arts administrator for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for well over a decade.
Collins Dole talked with Windy City Times about her various careers, her involvement with the gay community and her biggest disadvantage in this race.
Windy City Times: Why do you want to be a judge?
Ann Collins Dole: The reason I want to be judge—well, I'm on my third career. I'm really in awe of the [ judicial ] process. The legal system is quite remarkable, [ especially ] when you look and see what's going on in the rest of the world.
I'm a very good lawyer, and the time seems right for me to move from one side of the bench to the other. I have tremendous respect for the system and I'm also confident enough to think I have something to offer to the system. We need good judges. We have many fine judges, but our system of selecting judges is flawed.
I think I bring a lot to the bench. I'm fair, open-minded, willing to admit when I'm wrong and always willing to learn.
WCT: All of the candidates in your race seem so qualified. What separates you from the others?
ACD: As a judicial candidate, we're not supposed to speak ill of other candidates. But what separates me from the pack is that I have a lot of life experience. I not only have a lot of trial experience, but a lot of managerial experience. Not only do I try cases, but I help them with their cases and negotiate settlements—the type of thing a judge might do.
WCT: Have you argued for plaintiffs and defendants?
ACD: I've argued for plaintiffs, but for a number of years I have been defending.
WCT: How do you convince the average person that you can relate to him or her, with you having your current position?
ACD: It's interesting that you ask that question. My client is the City of Chicago, but the city is only liable to its employees. I represent Streets and Sanitation guys, paramedics, firefighters—a lot of people, as far as everyday working stiffs; I have a great rapport with them.
It's all about people. There are tragic cases involving alleged negligence of someone I'm representing, and it breaks your heart; sometimes you're wrong and sometimes you're right. ... I have to be able to relate to plaintiffs as well, just to get the information I need.
WCT: Have you handled any discrimination-related cases?
ACD: [ Pauses. ] No. Most of my work involves medical issues. I don't do things that involve employment and other [ issues that ] would involve discrimination. As a tort attorney, I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and [ related ] cases.
WCT: What do you feel is your biggest disadvantage in this race?
ACD: Good question. I think it's a disadvantage not to be endorsed by the party, although I'm not sure how much of a disadvantage that is—it's making me work that much harder.
I tend to focus on the positive; I think that's the only way you can get through this stuff.
WCT: Although you didn't receive your party's endorsement, you, [ like your opponents, ] have been recommended by various bar associations.
ACD: Right. I probably have the best evaluations from all the legal organizations.
WCT: And the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago highly recommended you.
ACD: Yes. I have many friends in the gay and lesbian community.
WCT: Is politics what you thought it would be?
ACD: [ Laughs. ] Well, I don't think so—I don't know what I thought it would be. I do know that this has been an extraordinary experience. It's been surreal; I don't know how else to describe it. I love talking with people, even those I know won't support me. The political thing—I still don't understand it.
WCT: Was there anything you wanted to add?
ACD: I'm just grateful to the newspaper for doing this. It's certainly a way to educate the community.
Besides the arts, I've been very involved with my community. I was one of the founding members of Southport Neighbors Association, and was president of that organization for a number of years. I'm also very active in environmental causes. I'm a life member of the Sierra Club and just about every summer I volunteer to do work with [ that organization ] , working on trails and clearing rubble. It kinds of makes you realize what a speck you are.
WCT: I have to ask: How did you go from art to law?
ACD: I was working for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and running a lot of the ancillary programs for the students. I was very hands-on with the students, and then legal issues became a [ bigger part ] of the job. I thought, 'This is ridiculous. I'm doing all this work. I might as well go to law school.' It was something I had always wanted to do, and I thought it was the right time.
See www.AnnCollinsDoleforJudge.com .